Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of PM’s address at inauguration & laying the foundation stone of multiple projects in Dehradun, Uttarakhand
I convey my respects to all the respected elders, sisters, aunties, brothers and sisters of Uttarakhand. Hope you are doing fine. Please accept my greetings.
The Governor of Uttarakhand, Shri Gurmeet Singh ji, the popular, energetic Chief Minister, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhamiji, my colleagues in the Union Council of Ministers, Pralhad Joshi ji and Ajay Bhatt ji, Ministers in Uttarakhand, SatpalMaharajji, Harak Singh Rawatji and other members of the state cabinet , my colleagues in Parliament Nishankji, Tirath Singh Rawatji, other MPs, Trivendra Singh Rawatji, Vijay Bahugunaji, other members of the state assembly, members of Zilla Panchayat, Madan Kaushik ji and my dear brothers and sisters,
All of you have come in such large numbers to bless us. We are all overwhelmed to receive your affection and blessings. Uttarakhand is not only the faith of the entire country but it is the land of karma and hard work. Therefore, the grand development of this region is the top priority of the double engine government. It is in this spirit that the Central Government has approved projects worth more than Rsonelakh crore for the development of Uttarakhand in the last five years only. The state government is implementing these projects rapidly. Taking this forward, projects worth more than 18,000 crore rupees have been eitherdedicated or their foundation stones have been laid. These include connectivity, health, culture, pilgrimage, electricity, children-friendly city projects, and projects related to almost every sector. After years of hard work and going through many necessary procedures this day has finally arrived. Earlier I said this from the holy land of Kedarpuri and today I am reiterating from Dehradun. These projects will play an important role in making this decade the decade of Uttarakhand. I congratulate the people of Uttarakhand for all these projects. Those who ask what is the advantage of the double engine government, they can see the flow of the rapid development in Uttarakhand.
Brothers and sisters,
At the beginning of this century, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji launched the campaign to speed up connectivity in India. But there existed a government in the country for 10 years after him which wasted valuable time of the country and Uttarakhand. There were scamsover infrastructure in the country for 10 years. To make up for this loss caused to the country, we worked twice as hard and are doing it even today. Today, India is moving ahead with the intention of investing more than 100 lakh crore rupees on modern infrastructure. Today India's policy reflects dynamism, to work twice or thrice as fast. The government is now committed to building a new India avoiding the old methods of leaving projects stalled for years after they were announced with fanfare. A ‘mahayagya’ of connectivity is underway in this 21stcentury which will play a huge role in positioning India in the ranks of the developed countries. A ‘yagya’ of this ‘mahayagya’ is being performed today in Devbhoomi.
Brothers and sisters,
Devotees, entrepreneurs and nature lover tourists also come to this Devbhoomi. Unprecedented work is being carried out on modern infrastructure to increase the potential of this land. Projects from Devprayag to Srikot and Brahmpuri to Kaudiyalahave been inaugurated today under the Chardham All Weather Road Project. The obstacle in the form of the Lambagad landslide en route the BadrinathDham has been resolved. This landslide has prevented many pilgrims from traveling to Badrinathji or made them wait for hours while some people were forced to return without visiting the shrine. Now the pilgrimage to Badrinathji will be safer and more enjoyable than before. Today many new projects regarding facilities in Badrinathji, Gangotri and YamunotriDhamhave also been launched.
Brothers and sisters,
Over the years, we have seen in KedarnathDham how much tourism and pilgrimage benefit from better connectivity and facilities. A record 5.70 lakh people visited Kedarnath in 2012 before the tragedy struck here. It was a huge record. More than 10 lakh people visited Kedarnathji in 2019 before the Corona struck. In other words, the reconstruction of KedarDham not only increased the number of devotees, but also provided many opportunities for employment and self-employment to the people there.
Friends,
Earlier, whenever I used to come to Uttarakhand and meet people, they would always tell me that the journey from Delhi to Dehradun is smooth tillGaneshpur, but after that it becomes very difficult. Today I am very happy that the foundation stone of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor has been laid. The time taken to travel from Delhi to Dehradun will be almost half once it is ready. This will not only benefit the people of Dehradun but will also facilitate those going to Haridwar, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Baghpat and Meerut. This economic corridor will now reduce the travel time from Delhi to Haridwar. Haridwar Ring Road project will free the city of Haridwar from the age-old problem of traffic jam. This will also make connectivity with the Kumaon region easier. Apart from this, the foundation stone of a new bridge has also been laid near the LakshmanJhulabridge in Rishikesh.
Brothers and sisters,
The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will be a testament to our model of development along with environmental protection. Along with a corridor of industries, Asia's largest elevated wildlife corridor will also be built. This corridor will not only ease the traffic, but will also help the wild animals to move safely.
Friends,
Herbs with medicinal properties, which are natural products in Uttarakhand, are in demand all over the world. This potential of Uttarakhand has not been fully utilized. The modern perfume and fragrance laboratory that has now been built will further enhance the potential of Uttarakhand.
Brothers and sisters,
Our mountains are not only the strongholds of our culture and faith, but they are also the fortresses of our country's security. One of the top priorities of the country is to make life easier for the people living in the mountains. But unfortunately, this did not figure in the policy and strategy of those who remained in the government for decades. Whether it was Uttarakhand or other regions of India, they had only one intention to fill their coffers and take care of their relatives.
Brothers and sisters,
For us, Uttarakhand is the path of austerity and hard work. What did the earlier Central Government do for Uttarakhand for seven years between 2007 and 2014? In those seven years, the earlier government built only 288 kms of national highways in Uttarakhand, not even 300 kms, whereas our government has built a national highway of more than 2,000 kilometers in Uttarakhand in its seven years. Tell me brothers and sisters, do you consider it to be performance or not? Is it good for the people or not? Will this be good for Uttarakhand or not? Will it be good for your future generations or not? Will the fate of the youth of Uttarakhand change or not? Not only this, the earlier government spent around 600 crore rupees on the National Highway in Uttarakhand in seven years. Now just listen, our government has spent more than 12,000 crore rupees in these seven-and-a-half years. Look at the difference between 600 crore rupees and 12000 crore rupees. Now you tell me, Uttarakhand is a priority for us or not? Do you believe it or not? Have we done it or not? Do we work wholeheartedly for Uttarakhand or not?
And brothers and sisters,
This is not just a figure. When such huge infrastructure projects are taken up, then how many things are needed? We need cement, iron, wood, bricks, stone, labourers, enterprising people and there are various opportunities for the local youth. The workers, engineers and management involved in these works are mostly mobilized at the local level. Therefore, these infrastructure projects are creating a new employment ecosystem in Uttarakhand by giving employment to thousands of youth. Today I can proudly say what I said five years ago. Many politicians don’t have the memory power to recall what they said five years ago, but I have it. What did I say then? I can proudly say today that the waters and the youth of Uttarakhand will be gainful for Uttarakhand.
Friends,
The earlier governments did not even take up infrastructure of the border hill areas as seriously as they should have. They did not pay attention that there should be roads and bridges near the border. It was as if they had vowed to demoralize the army at every level be it the One Rank One Pension, modern weapons, or give a befitting reply to the terrorists. But the government that is in place today cannot come under pressure from any country in the world. We are people following the mantra of Nation First, Always First. We have built hundreds of kilometers of new roads in the border hilly areas. And this is being done rapidly despite the difficult terrain and weather extremes. Every family of Uttarakhand which sends its children to the army understands its importance.
Friends,
There was a time when the people living on the hills only dreamt of joining the main stream of development. For generations, they used to wonder when they will get enough electricity or pucca houses. Whether there will be a road till their village or not? Will there be better medical facilities or not and when will the process of migration finally stop? There were so many questions in the minds of the people here.
But friends,
When there is a passion to do something, the appearance and attitude also changes. And we are working hard to fulfill your dreams. Today the government does not wait for the citizens to come to it with their problems and then contemplate action. Now the government goes directly to the citizens. You recall there was a time when tap water used to reach 1.25 lakh houses in Uttarakhand. Today more than 7.5 lakh households are getting tap water. Will these mothers and sisters bless me or not now that water is directly available in their kitchen? A lot many troubles of mothers and sisters are solved when tap water reaches their homes. We have succeeded in this effort within two years of the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission. It has hugely benefited the mothers and sisters of Uttarakhand. Mothers, sisters and daughters of Uttarakhand have always showered so much affection on us. We are constantly trying to repay the debt of these mothers and sisters by working hard and sincerelyso as to make their life easier.
Friends,
Unprecedented work is also being done on the health infrastructure of Uttarakhand under the double engine government. Three new medical colleges have been approved in such a small state of Uttarakhand. The foundation stone of Haridwar Medical College has also been laid today. Rishikesh AIIMS is already operational and soon the satellite center in Kumaonwill also start providing services. I congratulate Dhamiji, his colleagues and the entire Uttarakhand government because Uttarakhand is today among the leading states of the country as regard to vaccination. Better medical infrastructure has a big role to play behind this success. More than 50 new oxygen plants have also been installed in Uttarakhand during this corona period.
Friends,
Everybody has this desire that their child becomes a doctor or an engineer or takes up management studies. Can your dream be fulfilled if new institutes are not formed and the number of seats is not increased? Can your son or daughter become a doctor? Today, new medical colleges, IITs, IIMs and increasing number of seats for professional courses for students are strengthening the future of the present and future generations of the country. We are giving new opportunities to the common man to live with dignity by increasing his potential and empowering him.
Friends,
With time, many distortions have crept in the politics of our country and today I want to tell something about this from the holy land of Uttarakhand. Some political parties make distinctions in the society by tending to pay attention to only one section, one caste, or a particular religion. These efforts have been madeand they see in it their vote bank. Create a vote bank and tend to it and everything will be fine. These political parties have also adopted another distortionistapproach which is not to allow the people to become strong. They wanted people to remain helpless so that their crown remained intact. The basis of this perverted politics was not to fulfill the needs of the people andkeep them dependent. Unfortunately, these political parties developed a belief among the people that the government is everything and they will survive because of the government. In a way, the self-respect and the pride of the common man of the country was crushed under a well-thought-out strategy and he was made dependent. Sadly, they continued with this approach and people did not even get a whiff of it. But we have chosen a different approach. The path that we have chosen is difficultbut it is in the interest of the people of the country. And our path is - SabkaSaath - SabkaVikas. The schemes will be for everyone and there will be no discrimination. Instead of practicing the vote bank politics, we gave priority to the service of the people. Our approach has been to strengthen the country.The country will become strong when every family becomes strong. We came up with solutions and made schemes whichmight not suit the vote bank but will make your life easier, give you new opportunities, make you stronger without any discrimination. And certainly, you would alsonot want an environment in which your children also live a dependent life forever. You would not want to pass on the troubles that you inherited and the difficulties that you experienced to your children. We want to make you independent and not dependent.As we said earlier, we want our farmers to become energy provider as well. In this regard, we came up with the KUSUM scheme under which one can installsolar panels on the ridge of the farm. This enabled the farmers to generate electricity in the field itself. Neither did we make the farmers dependent on anyone, nor did they get the feeling that they were getting free electricity. Not only did they get electricity, the country was also not burdened. In a way, they became independent and this scheme has been implemented by our farmers in many places of the country. Similarly, we started the UJALA scheme across the country. Efforts were made to reduce the electricity bill in the households. Crores of LED bulbs were given all over the country and here in Uttarakhand also. Earlier,an LED bulb used to cost Rs 300-400, and now it is available at Rs 40-50. Today LED bulbs are being used in almost every household and the electricity bill of the people is alsocoming down. In many middle class and lower middle class households, the electricity bill has come down by Rs 500-600 per month.
Friends,
Similarly, we have made mobile phones and internet cheaper, and as a result,Common Service Centers are being opened in villages leading to many facilities being available in villages. Now if a villager has to make reservation of railway ticket, he does not have to come to the city, he does not have to waste a day, does not have to spend 100-200-300 rupees on bus fare. He can get the railway booking done online from the Common Service Center in his village itself. In the same way, you must have seen how home stays in Uttarakhand have become popular in almost every village. Sometime back, I gotto talk to the people of Uttarakhand who are running home stays with great success. When so many tourists will come, the availability of hotels will be an issue. Already, the number of tourists has increased by two to three times as compared to earlier. Therefore, so many hotels cannot be built overnight but a room can be built in every house with good facilities. And I believe Uttarakhand can show a new direction to the country by developing homestays with more facilities.
Friends,
We are bringing about this kind of change in every corner of the country. With these changes, the country will move forward in the 21st century and the people of Uttarakhand will become independent.
Friends,
There is a huge difference between doing something for the needs of the society and doing something to create a vote bank. When our government provides free houses to the poor, they get rid of the biggest worry of their life. When our government provides free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh to the poor, it saves their land from being sold, saves them from gettingentangled in the vicious cycle of debt. When our government ensures free food grains to every poor during the Corona period, it saves them from hunger. I know that the poor of the country, the middle class of the country, understand this truth. Therefore, our schemes get the blessings of the people from across the country.
Friends,
The pace of progress of the country will not pause but will move forward with renewed belief and determination in this virtuous period of independence. Uttarakhand will be celebrating its silver jubilee in the next five years. There is no goal that Uttarakhand cannot achieve. There is no such resolution which cannot be realized in this Devbhoomi. You also have young leadership in Dhamiji andhe also has an experienced team. We have a huge array of senior leaders. There is a team of leaders with 30-40 years of experience which is committed to the bright future of Uttarakhand.
And my dear brothers and sisters,
Those who are disintegrating all over the country cannot revamp Uttarakhand. With your blessings, this double engine of development will continue to make Uttarakhand grow rapidly.With this belief, I once again congratulate all of you. When I have come to the Devbhoomi, to the land of brave mothers, I end my speech with some tributes:
जहाँ पवन बहे संकल्प लिए,
जहाँ पर्वत गर्व सिखाते हैं,
जहाँ ऊँचे नीचे सब रस्ते
बस भक्ति के सुर में गाते हैं
उस देव भूमि के ध्यान से ही
उस देव भूमि के ध्यान से ही
मैं सदा धन्य हो जाता हूँ
है भाग्य मेरा,
सौभाग्य मेरा,
मैं तुमको शीश नवाता हूँ।
मैं तुमको शीश नवाता हूँ।
और धन्य धन्य हो जाता हूँ।
तुम आँचल हो भारत माँ का
जीवन की धूप में छाँव हो तुम
बस छूने से ही तर जाएँ
सबसे पवित्र वो धरा हो तुम
बस लिए समर्पण तन मन से
मैं देव भूमि में आता हूँ
मैं देव भूमि में आता हूँ
है भाग्य मेरा
सौभाग्य मेरा
मैं तुमको शीश नवाता हूँ
मैं तुमको शीश नवाता हूँ।
और धन्य धन्य हो जाता हूँ।
जहाँ अंजुली में गंगा जल हो
जहाँ हर एक मन बस निश्छल हो
जहाँ गाँव गाँव में देश भक्त
जहाँ नारी में सच्चा बल हो
उस देवभूमि का आशीर्वाद लिए
मैं चलता जाता हूँ
उस देवभूमि का आशीर्वाद लिए
मैं चलता जाता हूँ
है भाग्य मेरा
सौभाग्य मेरा
मैं तुमको शीश नवाता हूँ
मैं तुमको शीश नवाता हूँ
और धन्य धन्य हो जाता हूँ
मंडवे की रोटी
हुड़के की थाप
हर एक मन करता
शिवजी का जाप
ऋषि मुनियों की है
ये तपो भूमि
कितने वीरों की
ये जन्म भूमि
में देवभूमि में आता हूँ
मैं तुमको शीश नवाता हूँ
और धन्य धन्य हो जाता हूँ
मैं तुमको शीश नवाता हूँ
और धन्य धन्य हो जाता हूँ
Say it with me, Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
Many thanks.
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.